Twistity Sports Exclusive: JOHNNY MANZIEL IS NO. 1 (SORT OF)

 
The Cleveland Browns warned Johnny Manziel about excess partying and cavorting with celebrities. They admonished him for being late to a meeting. Now they’re learning the oldest lesson of all – if you ride the bull, you risk the horn. It’s a package deal.

Manziel, the flashy rookie quarterback, flashed one finger at the Washington Redskins in Monday night’s nationally-televised game. Hey, way to pick your venues. Irritated by the Redskins’ jibes and perhaps his own performance, Johnny Football raised one finger late in the third quarter and of course the cameras caught it. Why won’t every team get on him now, seeing as it’s clear he’s listening to the taunts?

He’ll certainly be fined by the NFL, which once docked Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk $10,000 for making that same gesture at his own bench as a joke. But maybe we’re being too harsh. There are any number of things Johnny Finger could have meant.

When he pointed that digit, Johnny Finger actually meant

A. We’re No. 1. Given the Browns’ record over the recent years, not likely.
B. Look. Up in the sky. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman! Ah, no.
C. One is the loneliest number … Hey, I dig Three Dog Night. Uh-uh.
D. Where is Tall Man, where is Tall Man, heeeere I am. Decidedly not.

The Browns, despite making noise about waiting to name a starter, moved quickly on Wednesday morning and gave the job to Brian Hoyer.

Manziel is still trying to grasp the concepts of the huddle and wordy play calls, and now we have fresh reason to doubt his maturity and ability to stay calm. The Browns knew Johnny Finger was a risk when they drafted him. He may still pay off. He won’t be the first young player to do something dopey. Hey, maybe he was just telling everyone what his draft status was …

Today’s question: What would you do with Johnny Manziel if you were coaching the Browns? Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman